Tennis ball-throwing training device

ABSTRACT

An electric-powered tennis ball-throwing device having a feed hopper and ball chute for supplying individual tennis balls to a spring-propelled throwing arm, oscillating components mounted on resilient feet vibrate the entire machine to facilitate the ball feed function, the throwing arm incorporate adjusting means for varying the height of the ball trajectory and the speed of propulsion.

United States Patent James G. Embry 409 Zephyr Drive, San Antonio, Tex.78239 Aug. 27, 1970 Aug. 24, 1971 [72] inventor [21 1 Appl. No. 1 22]Filed [45 Patented [54] TENNIS BALL-THROWING TRAINING DEVICE 8 Claims, 7Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 124/7, 124/49, 124/36, 124/41 [51] Int. Cl F4lb 15/00 [50]Field of Search 124/7,1, 6, 36, 41, 49, 50, 16; 273/26 D; 272/83 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,877,757 3/1959 Giovagnoli 124/73,207,147 9/1965 Giovagnoli 124/49 3,406,674 10/1968 Zone 124/7 FOREIGNPATENTS 165,921 11/1955 Australia 124/16 Primary Examiner-Richard C.Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attamey-Willard J. Hodges,Jr.

ABSTRACT: An electric-powered tennis ball-throwing device having a feedhopper and ball chute for supplying individual tennis balls to aspring-propelled throwing arm, oscillating components mounted onresilient feet vibrate the entire machine to facilitate the ball feedfunction, the throwing arm incorporate adjusting means for varying theheight of the ball trajectory and the speed of propulsion.

PATENTEU Aus24|9r| 3,601,111

SHEET 1 BF 2 FIGZ INVENTOR JAMES G. EMBRY ATTORNEY PATENTEDAUGZMHYI3,601,111

sum 2 [1F 2 INVENTOR JAMES e. PEMBRY TENNIS BALL-THROWING TRAININGDEVICE Several designs for ball-propelling devices are known to theprior art. The vast majority of these devices utilizing a throwing armare particularly designed with the view to propelling baseballs. Mostdevices pertaining to the art of propelling tennis balls have utilized adevice to strike the tennis ball. The variation in weight between abaseball and a tennis ball create substantial problems in positive feedmeans and hopper design as well as problems in propelling the tennisball. The desire to solve the problems of feeding the tennis ball in thethrowing device as well as propelling the tennis ball in consistentmanner prompted your inventor to conceive and develop the device of thisinvention. Various objects were accomplished in the design anddevelopment of the invention constituting the subject matter of thispatent application.

One object was to accomplish an effective feed means to supply the lighttennis balls individually to the throwing arm.

Another object was to provide a relatively inexpensive portable devicewhich could serve as a training device for tennis instruction.

Another object was to provide a device capable of delivering tennis ballat preselected angles of trajectory and rate of propulsion.

Other objects accomplished and advantages of the device will becomeapparent from a study of the construction and operation of the device ofthis invention.

In brief, the device of this invention comprises a resilient or flexiblebase which may rest on the ground or surface of the tennis court.Supported above the base is a feed hopper and ball feed chute whichsupplies the individual tennis balls to a throwing arm. The throwing armis connected by means of a crank and pivot to a drive cable whichengages a tensioned triangle which is adjustably spring loadedpermitting variation in the rate of propulsion of the individuallythrown tennis balls. The tensioned triangle provides propulsion force tothe crank of the throwing arm to propel tennis ball as well ascontributing to the oscillation of the device on the flexible orresilient feet to facilitate the feed function. An electric drive motoractivates the device through a reduction gear transmission whichactivates the throwing arm by means of a pivot lever. The tensioning ofthe triangle-tensioning spring is accomplished by the pivot leverlifting the throwing arm crank and rotating the throwing arm to such aposition as to cause the throwing hand to engage a tennis ball adjacentthe feed chute. At the moment the ball is engaged by the throwing hand,the lifting action of the pivot lever on the throwing crank passes overtop dead center and the triangle tension spring drives the throwingcrank carrying the throwing arm sharply downward propelling the tennisball.

For more detailed description of the construction and operation of thedevice, reference is made to the attached several views and thefollowing detailed description wherein identical reference charactersare utilized to designate similar or equivalent components throughoutthe various views and the following detailed description.

In FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of the device viewed from slightlyabove.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device with the feed hopper removed.

FIG. 3 is a fragmented elevation view particularly illustrating thetensioned triangle which provides adjustable throwing force andcontributes to the oscillation of the device.

FIG. 4 is a fragmented side elevation of a resilient foot incorporntinga resilient pad.

FIG. 5 is a fragmented side elevation of a resilient foot incorporatinga resilient spring.

FIG. 6 is a fragmented perspective view of the ball feed chute, ballstop and ball support.

FIG. 7 is a side fragmented elevation view of the throwing armdisclosing details of the components permitting ball trajectoryadjustments.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tennis ballthrowingmachine of this invention is constructed on a frame v 10 which may forease of maneuver include a wheel 11 and a maneuvering handle 12. Theframe 10 of the device is of conventional construction utilizingstringers 13 as the base for the device. All components above the baseare supported by vertical supports 14. For description of the componentsutilized in propelling the tennis ball, reference is particularly madeto FIGS. 2 and 3. An important feature of this construction is thetensioned triangle 15 which is pivotally secured to frame 10 by trianglepivot point 16. The tensioned triangle is driven and maintained in anoperating condition by triangle tension spring 17. The spring 17 isattached to spring adjusting arm 18 which is pivotally secured to aportion of the frame by adjusting arm pivot 19. The degree of tensionapplied to triangle 15 is accomplished by applying more or less tensionto the spring 17 by moving the adjusting arm 18 to a selected adjustingstop 20. Pivotally secured to the opposite end of triangle 15 from pivotpoint 16 is drive cable 23 which interconnects triangle 15 and drivecable pivot point 24. Projecting outward and through cable drive pivotpoint 24 is a pivot pin 25. The activating force for the machine iselectric drive motor 26 which propels the device through thetransmission 27 and transmission drive shaft 28 which rotates pivotlever 29. The details of the construction of the electric motor andtransmission will not be described in that the device is well known tothe art and available on the commercial market as the geared motor fordriving conveyor belts. Secured to the upper extremities of suitablevertical support members 14 is a throwing arm 30 which is secured to theouter end of the throwing arm shaft 31. Secured to the opposite end ofshaft 31 is throwing arm crank 32. Shaft 31 is mounted in suitableshaft-bearing means 33. With particular reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7',adjustably mounted on the end of the throwing arm 30 is throwing hand34. Throwing hand 34 is pivotally attached to throwing arm 30 by aheight pivot 35 permitting tilting of throwing hand 34 in relation tothrowing arm 30. The height fan 36 is secured in the desired position bythrowing hand adjusting clamp 37. Positioned on the upper end of thevertical supports 14 is feed hopper 40. In the preferred embodiment thisfeed hopper 40 was constructed of sheet metal having a bottom 41 with'side frames 42. In the side frame 42 at the end corner of the deviceopposite the drive motor 26 is a ball door 43. Leading from a 1 thisball feed chute 45 was constructed of a U section of sheet metal. Ballfeed chute 45 is rigidly secured to frame 10. Constructed adjacent toend of ball feed chute 45 is ball stop 46 and an arcuate ball support47, as particularly illustrated in FIG. 6. The entire mechanism isresiliently supported above the ground or the surface of the tenniscourt on a multiplicity of resilient feet which may be constructed intwo configurations. One method is to utilize spongelike resilient feet49 of plastic materials as illustrated in FIG. 4. Another method ofconstruction would utilize resilient springs 50 as illustrated in FIG.5. The device may be connected to an external source of electricalenergy by means of power cable 5!. Attached to drive motor 26 is alsothe motor control cable 52 which permits the operator to control themotor 26 by means of motor control switch. Construction of the motorcontrol switch is not illustrated in that it may be a conventionalpushbutton on-off switch readily available on the commercial market.

In the preferred embodiment, frame 10, stringers 13 and verticalsupports 14 utilize angle iron or strap metal which was secured bywelding. Other conventional methods of securing the various members inan integral structure might be utilized.

The ball hopper 40 which was of sheet metal construction was secured tothe vertical supports 14 by means of bolts or screws. Other methods ofsecuring, however, would be acceptable. In placing the device inoperation a group of tennis balls may be indiscriminately deposited inthe hopper 40 and power cable 51 attached to external source of electricpower. An activation of the motor control switch (not illustrated)places the device in operation which continues repetitively throwingtennis balls until the device is deactivated. As previously stated, thetension triangle 15 through triangle tension spring 17 places drivecable 23 under the desired degree of tension. This is best illustratedin FIG. 3. The motor 26 through transmission 27 rotates transmissiondrive shaft 28 moving or rotating pivot lever 29. Pivot lever 29contacts and rotates pivot pin 25 carrying throwing arm crank 32;. ascrank 32 is rotated and lifted additional tension is placed on spring 17through triangle 15 by means of drive cable 23. The rotation of crank 32rotates shaft 31 carrying throwing arm 30 and throwing hand 34. Throwingarm 30 is so positioned on shaft 31 as to arrive at the end of ball feedchute 45, ball stop 46, ball support 47 at just an instant before pivotlever 29 has lifted the throwing crank 32 to top dead center. As tennisball 54 is grasped by hand 34, crank 32 passes over top dead center.From this point the tension of spring 17 through triangle l and drivecable 23 rapidly pulls crank 32 downward which thrusts throwing arm 30upward through its throwing are propelling the tennis ball forward. Ifmotor 26 is left in operation the cycle is repeated. Particularreference to FIG. 7; the angle at which the ball'54 is propelled may beadjusted by height fan 36. In FIG. 7 if throwing hand 34 were tilted tothe right, a low trajectory would be accomplished. As a maximum tilt tothe left the machine would throw a high ball or lob the ball.

Having described in some detail the construction and operation of thedevice what is desired to be claimed is all embodiments and adaptationsof the device not departing from the scope of the appended claims ortheir equivalents.

l. A tennis ball-throwing machine comprising:

a. a frame structure having a top portion and a bottom portion,

b. a-feed hopper mounted on the top portion of said frame structure,

c. throwing arm means constructed on an elongated axis rotatably mountedon said frame structure and adapted to receive and propel a tennis ball,

d. a ball feed means interconnecting said feed hopper and said throwingarm means,

e. a tensioned triangle pivotally mounted on said frame and attached tosaid frame structure,

f. a means interconnecting said tensioned triangle and said throwingarm, and said frame being constructed and arranged to retain saidtensioned triangle under springloaded tension,

g. motor means operably engaging said throwing arm means for impartingrotary motion force to said throwing arm means,

h. a throwing hand constructed on an elongated axis secured to saidthrowing arm means, said hand adapted to receive a tennis ball, and

i. a spring-adjusting arm pivotally attached at one end thereof to saidframe structure, said arm having means attached thereto for varying thespring-loaded tension applied to the throwing arm for throwing aprojectile, and

j. a means on said frame having a multiplicity of adjusting arm stopsfor receiving and retaining a free end of said spring-adjusting arm.

. The invention of claim 1 including:

a. a throwing hand constructed on an elongated axis secured to saidthrowing arm means said hand adapted to receive a tennis ball, and

b. means for pivotally adjusting the elongated axis of said throwinghand relative to the elongated axis of said throwing arm means.

3. The invention of claim 1 including:

a. resilient feet secured to the bottom portion of said frame structureconstructed and arranged to support said frame structure above asubstantially flat surface.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said resilient feet comprise plasticresilient pads.

5. The invention of claim 3 wherein said resilient feet compriseresilient springs.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said motor means comprises:

a. an electric motor operably connected through a reduction geartransmission to a transmission drive shaft upon which is mounted b. apivot lever which contacts and drives in rotation said throwing armmeans.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said ball feed means comprises:

a. a ball feed chute having a feed end and a discharge end,

b. a ball stop secured to said frames and adapted to stop and retain atennis ball adjacent the discharge end of said ball feed chute, and

c. a ball support means secured to said frame and adapted to support atennis ball adjacent the discharge end of said ball feed chute.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said throwing arm means comprises:

a. a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame,

b. a throwing arm secured to one end of said shaft, and

c. a crank secured to the end of said shaft opposite said throwing armand operatively connected to said motor means.

1. A tennis ball-throwing machine comprising: a. a frame structurehaving a top portion and a bottom portion, b. a feed hopper mounted onthe top portion of said frame structure, c. throwing arm meansconstructed on an elongated axis rotatably mounted on said framestructure and adapted to receive and propel a tennis ball, d. a ballfeed means interconnecting said feed hopper and said throwing arm means,e. a tensioned triangle pivotally mounted on said frame and attached tosaid frame structure, f. a means interconnecting said tensioned triangleand said throwing arm, and said frame being constructed and arranged toretain said tensioned triangle under spring-loaded tension, g. motormeans operably engaging said throwing arm means for imparting rotarymotion force to said throwing arm means, h. a throwing hand constructedon an elongated axis secured to said throwing arm means, said handadapted to receive a tennis ball, and i. a spring-adjusting armpivotally attached at one end thereof to said frame structure, said armhaving means attached thereto for varying the spring-loaded tensionapplied to the throwing arm for throwing a projectile, and j. a means onsaid frame having a multiplicity of adjusting arm stops for receivingand retaining a free end of said springadjusting arm.
 2. The inventionof claim 1 including: a. a throwing hand constructed on an elongatedaxis secured to said throwing arm means said hand adapted to receive atennis ball, and b. means for pivotally adjusting the elongated axis ofsaid throwing hand relative to the elongated axis of said throwing armmeans.
 3. The invention of claim 1 including: a. resilient feet securedto the bottom portion of said frame structure constructed and arrangedto support said frame structure above a substantially flat surface. 4.The invention of claim 3 wherein said resilient feet comprise plasticresilient pads.
 5. The invention of claim 3 wherein said resilient feetcomprise resilient springs.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein saidmotor means comprises: a. an electric motor operably connected through areduction gear transmission to a transmission drive shaft upon which ismounted b. a pivot lever which contacts and drives in rotation saidthrowing arm means.
 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said ball feedmeans comprises: a. a ball feed chute having a feed end and a dischargeend, b. a ball stop secured to said frames and adapted to stop andretain a tennis ball adjacent the discharge end of said ball feed chute,and c. a ball support means secured to said frame and adapted to supporta tennis ball adjacent the discharge end of said ball feed chute.
 8. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein said throwing arm means comprises: a. ashaft rotatably mounted on said frame, b. a throwing arm secured to oneend of said shaft, and c. a crank secured to the end of said shaftopposite said throwing arm and operatively connected to said motormeans.